|  | Conditions Treatments | Genetic Disorders

Signs and Symptoms of Albright's Disease

Albright's Disease, or McCune-Albright Syndrome, is a rare genetic disorder that affects multiple body systems. The disease is characterized by unusual skin pigmentation, dysfunction of the endocrine gland and fibrous bone tissue. There are 55 symptoms and signs for this disease. Albright's affects one out of every 2,000 people.

  1. Bone Disease

    • Bone disease symptoms of Albright's include fractures. The bones can also become deformed. Bones that are affected by this deformity include the legs, arms, skull and jaw. Albright's can create fibrous dysplasia of the bone where tumor-like growths occur in bones and replace normal bone tissue with fibrous tissue. Fibrous dysplasia of the pelvis, cranium, spine and facial bones is symptomatic of the disease.

    Sex Hormone Issues

    • Puberty changes are also characteristic of Albright's. Albright's causes early onset of puberty development, such as early menstrual bleeding, ovarian cysts, irregular menstrual bleeding and growth of breasts in girls, and the development of testes, early growth of pubic and underarm hair in boys. Both genders can experience accelerated growth. The early menstrual bleeding in girls can begin as soon as two years of age.

    Skin Alterations

    • Albright's affects the skin and causes changes in pigmentation. There may be increased pigmentation and also the appearance of "cafe-au-lait" spots. "Cafe-au-lait" spots are light brown-colored spots that appear on the skin. Irregular brown pigmentation can occur over the posterior, sacrum and the upper spine.

    Thyroid Problems

    • Thyroid gland abnormalities occur in about 50 percent of Albright's cases. The thyroid gland may swell, and nodules in the thyroid may appear. The pituitary gland may be affected and cause excessive height growth, enlarged hands and feet and angular or irregularly prominent facial features. When the thyroid gland is affected, it can cause arthritis as well. Complications with the adrenal gland include delayed growth, weight gain and thin skin. With hyperthyroidism, the gland produces excessive amounts of hormone which lead to side effects such as a fast heart rate, sweating, high blood pressure, weight loss and tremors.

    Phosphorus Problems

    • Albright's also causes phosphorus complications within the body. These symptoms include extreme quantities of phosphate in the urine and development of rickets. Rickets leads to softened and weakened bones. This is caused by a deficiency in vitamin D, calcium or phosphate.

Genetic Disorders - Related Articles